I’veapplied to my colleges already but I was talking with a friend and I got thinking about my decision to exclude some of my somewhat controversial ECs.
I’m a fairly active political activist and living right near the nation’s capital, there are so many opportunities to get involved. I’ve been in a bunch of marches/petitions/protests/etc for things like gun control, abortion, and capital punishment but did not menion them on any of my applications. I talked with my guidence counselor about whether I should spell them out and she advised me not to in fear that my views would be different from the admissions officers and it would affect my admission. So, rather then listing the various things I’ve done I just put a numerical value for the hours I had contributed to various activities.(didn’t say for what, though).
So, do you think that was the right thing to do?
My friend who has done alot of the same things I have actually wrote her admission essay on one of the activities we were involved in an included a newspaper article on the activity… it was about gun control- not as controversial as some topics but still debated.
<p>Well, eventhough LACs are known for being very active with things like this, don't you think it would have been risky? What if the individual reviewing my application was very against what I was standing for? Some of the specific events titles stated what position I stood for and I felt like this would be too much. Its not like I'm a crazy radical, but I do speak out about things I feel are wrong. </p>
<p>... well, its done now so I shouldn't worry about it but I was still curious.</p>
<p>wow, that's quite a unique extracurricular. the college admissions officers most likely would not reject you just because their views are different from yours. in fact, i think that your participation in these activities shows how dedicated and interested you are in these controversial topics. i believe that adding these activities to your college application would definitely help you stand out.</p>
<p>I don't think it would be risky, I think it would show that you cared passionately about something and were willing to ge involved. Where are you applying?</p>
<p>Well I've already applied at lafayette, smith, northeastern, umiami, umaryland, udelaware, and south carolina. </p>
<p>I included the idea that I participated in activism type stuff but went into NO detail as to what they were... maybe I should have but its too late now.</p>